American Express is best known for premium metal cards like The Platinum Card® from American Express and the American Express® Gold Card, which both come with generous benefits for travelers and foodies.
But Amex also offers several cards with non-travel perks and lower — or no — annual fees, such as the American Express® Green Card and the Amex Blue Cash Everyday Card. You'll also receive excellent customer service from this major card issuer, which has been an industry leader for decades.
Business Insider's personal finance team reviewed many options to bring you this list of the best Amex cards you can get right now. We compared annual fees, benefits, rewards, and potential drawbacks to bring you our top recommendations.
If American Express is a good fit for your lifestyle and spending habits, these are the top Amex cards you should consider.
Best Amex Cards of April 2025
| Best For | Card | Annual Fee |
| Best for no annual fee | Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express | $0 (rates and fees) |
| Best for cash back | Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express | $0 intro for the first year, then $95 (rates and fees) |
| Best for commuters | American Express® Green Card | $150 |
| Best for foodies | American Express® Gold Card | $325 (rates and fees) |
| Best for luxury travelers | The Platinum Card® from American Express | $695 (rates and fees) |
Best American Express Card for No Annual Fee
$0
0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months from account opening
18.24% - 29.24% Variable
Earn a $200 statement credit
Good to Excellent
- Good bonus cash-back rate at U.S supermarkets
- No annual fee.
- If you spend more than $6,000 at U.S supermarkets in a year, you should use another card to earn bonus rewards once you hit that cap.
The Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express is a solid cash-back card with no annual fee. It's an especially valuable choice for purchases at US supermarkets, gas stations, and online retail purchases, thanks to its bonus earning categories.
Amex Blue Cash Everyday Card- Earn a $200 statement credit after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.
- No Annual Fee.
- Enjoy 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months from the date of account opening. After that, 18.24% to 29.24% variable APR.
- 3% Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%.
- 3% Cash Back on U.S. online retail purchases, on up to $6,000 per year, then 1%.
- 3% Cash Back at U.S. gas stations, on up to $6,000 per year, then 1%.
- Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout.
- Thinking about getting the Disney Bundle which can include Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+? Your decision made easy with $7/month back in the form of a statement credit after you spend $9.99 or more each month on an eligible subscription (subject to auto renewal) with your Blue Cash Everyday® Card. Enrollment required.
- Enjoy up to $15 back per month when you purchase a Home Chef meal kit subscription (subject to auto renewal) with your enrolled Blue Cash Everyday® Card.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
The Amex Blue Cash Everyday Card is one of the rare American Express cards with no annual fee (rates and fees).
Cardholders earn 3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets, at U.S. gas stations, and on U.S. online retail purchases (on up to $6,000 per category per year, then 1%) and 1% cash back on other purchases (cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout). Terms apply.
New cardholders can also take advantage of a 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months from account opening (after that, it reverts to a 18.24% - 29.24% Variable APR) (rates and fees).
This card also offers statement credits that can save you more than $100 a year: a $7 monthly credit for eligible Disney Bundle subscriptions, and up to $15 a month for eligible Home Chef meal subscriptions paid with this card. Terms apply.
Best American Express Card for Cash Back
$0 intro for the first year, then $95
0% intro APR for 12 months on purchases and balance transfers from the date of account opening
18.24% - 29.24% Variable
Earn a $250 statement credit
Good to Excellent
- Generous bonus rewards, especially at U.S. supermarkets
- One of a small handful of credit cards that offer bonus rewards on select streaming services
- Intro APR offer
- Unlike many other cash-back cards, it charges an annual fee
- If you spend more than $6,000 at US supermarkets each year, you'll want to use another card once you reach that cap
The Amex Blue Cash Preferred is one of the best cash-back cards, particularly for consumers who spend a lot of money at U.S. supermarkets, use streaming services, or have lots of commuting and gas expenses. The annual fee is worth it if your typical spending lines up with the card's bonus categories.
Amex Blue Cash Preferred Card- Earn a $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.
- $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.
- Buy Now, Pay Later: Enjoy $0 intro plan fees when you use Plan It® to split up large purchases into monthly installments. Pay $0 intro plan fees on plans created during the first 12 months from the date of account opening. Plans created after that will have a monthly plan fee up to 1.33% of each eligible purchase amount moved into a plan based on the plan duration, the APR that would otherwise apply to the purchase, and other factors.
- Low Intro APR: 0% on purchases and balance transfers for 12 months from the date of account opening. After that, your APR will be a variable APR of 18.24% - 29.24%.
- 6% Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%).
- 6% Cash Back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions.
- 3% Cash Back at U.S. gas stations.
- 3% Cash Back on transit (including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more).
- 1% Cash Back on other purchases.
- Cash Back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout.
- $84 Disney Bundle Credit: With your enrolled Blue Cash Preferred Card, spend $9.99 or more each month on an auto-renewing Disney Bundle subscription, to receive a monthly statement credit of $7. Valid only at Disney Plus.com, Hulu.com or Plus.espn.com in the U.S.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
If you like the Amex Blue Cash Everyday Card but don't mind paying an reasonable annual fee for better rewards, get the Amex Blue Cash Preferred Card for $0 intro for the first year, then $95 (rates and fees).
Cardholders earn 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%) and on select U.S. streaming subscriptions, 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations and on transit (including taxis, rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more), and 1% cash back on other purchases (cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout). Terms apply.
Cash back rewards are earned as Reward Dollars, which can be redeemed as statement credits or at Amazon.com checkout. Cardholders also get a $7 monthly credit when they use this card to pay for eligible Disney Bundle subscriptions (up to $84 annual value). Terms apply.
The Amex Blue Cash Preferred Card also offers an introductory zero-interest period: 0% intro APR for 12 months on purchases and balance transfers from the date of account opening, then 18.24% - 29.24% Variable APR (rates and fees).
Best American Express Card for Commuters
The Amex Green Card is a great choice for commuters and an underrated option for dining and travel expenses in general. It also has one of the lowest annual fees in the Amex travel card family at just $150 a year.
Cardholders earn 3 Membership Rewards® Points at restaurants worldwide (including takeout and delivery in the U.S.), on transit, and travel, and 1 point on other purchases. Terms apply.
New cardholders can earn 40,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases within the first six months of card membership.
Best American Express Card for Foodies
$325
N/A
See Pay Over Time APR
Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases on your new card in your first six months of Card Membership
Good to Excellent
- Great rewards for dining and for shopping at U.S. supermarkets
- Monthly statement credit for eligible dining purchases recoups some of the annual fee
- Underwhelming welcome bonus
Foodies and travelers alike will appreciate the American Express Gold's generous welcome bonus and Membership Rewards points earning. Its Uber Cash credits are useful for rides and Uber Eats, and monthly dining credits with participating merchants like GrubHub and Seamless are easy to use.
Amex Gold Card- Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made at restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
The Amex Gold Card is the best American Express card for foodies. It earns 4 Membership Rewards® points on purchases at restaurants worldwide (on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1 point), 4 points at US supermarkets (on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1 point), 3 points on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com, 2 points on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com, and 1 point on all other eligible purchases. Terms apply.
You can easily earn and use Amex points for more than 1 cent of value each, based on Business Insider's valuations of what points and miles are worth, so this is the highest-earning Amex card for food-related expenses.
Cardholders also get more than $300 in annual dining credits, although these are doled out in small increments over 12 months. Terms apply (enrollment required).
That being said, the $325 annual fee is steep for many people's wallets (rates and fees). While the Amex Gold Card has a spot on our guide to the best cards for dining, many other cards earn generous rewards on food without such high annual fees. Terms apply.
New cardholders can earn a welcome bonus of 60,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases on your new card in your first six months of card membership.
Best American Express Card for Luxury Travelers
$695
N/A
See Pay Over Time APR
Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® points
Good to Excellent
- Long list of travel benefits, including airport lounge access and complimentary elite status with Hilton and Marriott (enrollment required)
- Statement credits with Saks and Uber (enrollment required)
- Bonus categories leave something to be desired
- One of the highest annual fees among premium travel cards
If you want as many premium travel perks as possible, The Platinum Card® from American Express could be the right card for you. The annual fee is high, but you get a long list of benefits such as airport lounge access, travel statement credits, and more.
Amex Platinum Card- Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
- Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
- $200 Hotel Credit: Get up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings through American Express Travel using your Platinum Card®. The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
- $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back in statement credits each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card® on one or more of the following: Disney+, a Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, and The Wall Street Journal. Enrollment required.
- With American Express Global Lounge Collection® you can enjoy access to over 1,400 airport lounges globally, including The Centurion® Lounge, Unlimited Delta Sky Club® Access when flying an eligible Delta flight, Escape Lounges, Lufthansa Lounges when flying Lufthansa Group, Plaza Premium, Priority Pass™ Select Lounges, & Additional Global Lounge Collection Partner Lounges subject to visit limitations. Lounges may have their own rules, like additional access rules and guest fees, and for Priority Pass Select, you need to enroll and there are unlimited airport lounge visits for Card Members. With Delta Sky Club Access, Card Members will receive 10 Visits to the Delta Sky Club to be used from February 1 until January 31 of the next calendar year and can unlock Unlimited Delta Sky Club Access by spending $75,000 in eligible purchases on their Card in a calendar year. To find a lounge, visit the membership section in the American Express® App or visit http://www.americanexpress.com/findalounge#/loungefinder.
- $155 Walmart+ Credit: Save on eligible delivery fees, shipping, and more with a Walmart+ membership. Use your Platinum Card® to pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership and get up to $12.95 plus applicable taxes back on one membership (excluding Plus Ups) each month.
- $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to your Platinum Card®.
- $200 Uber Cash: Platinum Card® Members can ride or dine in style with $15 in Uber Cash each month, plus a bonus $20 in December after adding their Card to their Uber account. Use your Uber Cash on rides and orders in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- $199 CLEAR® Plus Credit: CLEAR® Plus helps to get you to your gate faster at 50+ airports nationwide and get up to $199 back per calendar year on your Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Card. CLEARLanes are available at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues.
- Receive either a $120 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 years for a TSA PreCheck® (through a TSA official enrollment provider) application fee, when charged to your Platinum Card®. Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
- Shop Saks with Platinum: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases in Saks Fifth Avenue stores or at saks.com on your Platinum Card®. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- Unlock access to exclusive reservations and special dining experiences with Global Dining Access by Resy when you add your Platinum Card® to your Resy profile.
- $695 annual fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
The Platinum Card® from American Express is one of the best-known cards in the world.
The card has one of the highest annual fees — $695 (rates and fees) — of any mainstream card on the market. But you can get more than $1,000 in yearly value from the card if you use most or all of its benefits, most of which require enrollment.
The Amex Platinum Card earns 5 points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel (up to $500,000 per calendar year) and on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel, and 1 point on other purchases. Terms apply.
The Amex Platinum Card comes with a long list of benefits including unlimited access to Amex Centurion Lounges and Priority Pass airport lounges after enrollment, and up to 10 visits to Delta Sky Clubs each year (when you're flying Delta). Terms apply.
The card also offers American Express card travel coverage and complimentary Gold elite status with Marriott and Hilton hotels. Finally, cardholders can get well over $1,000 a year in credits toward eligible Saks, Uber, Equinox, Walmart+, and CLEAR® Plus purchases, as well as up to $200 annually in prepaid hotel bookings through American Express Travel. Terms apply.
Pro tip: No Preset Spending Limit means your spending limit is flexible. Unlike a traditional card with a set limit, the amount you can spend adapts based on factors such as your purchase, payment, and credit history.
Co-Branded American Express Cards
This guide focuses on cards that earn Amex rewards. But Amex also offers cards in partnership with airlines and hotels, such as the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card and the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card.
These cards often confer generous benefits for brand loyalists such as elite status, premium lounge access, free checked bags or meals, and more.
We left them out of this guide because the best hotel and airline program for you depends on many factors, including your preferred destinations, your home airport, and more.
Instead, you can find them reviewed in our guides to the best airline credit cards and the best hotel credit cards.
Best Amex Business Cards
If you're a small business owner, our guide to the best American Express business cards can help you find the best card for your professional expenses.
Amex Card Eligibility and Credit Requirements
Amex has a reputation for luxury and premium benefits, and the issuer has strict credit requirements to match. Most Amex cards require an excellent credit score or a FICO score in the 700s or higher.
You'll also find the most success if you can show consistent income, although you may not need a high salary to qualify.
Additional Cardholder Benefits
Many Amex cards allow the primary cardholder to add one or more authorized users — usually close family members or business associates who can make purchases on a secondary credit card linked to the main account.
You, as the primary cardholder, are responsible for paying down any balance(s) incurred by the people you authorized to share your account, but you typically also get to keep any rewards earned from spending on authorized user cards.
Your additional cardholders may be able to enjoy some of the benefits and perks associated with your card, although there may be a cost involved.
Amex Offers
Amex cards often come with exclusive discounts from a plethora of partner retailers through the Amex Offers program. Many offers are targeted at specific cardholders and can be found via the Amex dashboard online or in the Amex app.
Customer Reviews of Amex Cards
In addition to working with our team of credit card experts to determine the best Amex cards, we scoured internet forums such as Reddit to see what everyday consumers have to say about Amex cards.
Amex Cards: Worth Getting For Many People
One of the most commonly searched questions is, "Are Amex cards worth it?" There are several different interpretations of this question, from the mention of annual fees to the various perks and potential benefits available.
The overall consensus is that, yes, American Express cards are worth pursuing, especially if you choose one of the no-annual-fee cards or the premium options that come with luxury travel benefits.
However, some people prefer other credit card issuers, emphasizing loyalty to Citi, Wells Fargo, Chase, Capital One, and U.S. Bank instead.
Amex Platinum Impresses Big Clients
Amex is commonly associated with high-end goods and travel, partly because it issues several of the most recognizable metal cards in the world.
While most finance-savvy people don't choose credit cards based on aesthetics alone, a couple of Redditors say that putting down The Platinum Card® from American Express on a big-stakes restaurant bill in front of a client never fails to impress.
High Annual Fees
The association with luxury comes at a cost, and one that can be steep depending on the card you choose.
The Platinum Card® from American Express currently charges the highest annual fee among publicly available consumer cards at $695 (rates and fees), and some other Amex cards aren't far behind.
"Coupon Book" Benefits
As Amex continues to raise annual fees on popular cards each year, many cardholders have begun complaining about the way associated benefits are distributed.
Consumers derisively began comparing their cards to coupon books after American Express started to roll out more credits that cardholders receive in monthly increments at specific retailers.
Excellent Customer Service
American Express offers some of the best customer service across all credit card issuers.
Many consumers speak highly of the exemplary communication across concierges for Platinum cardholders, down to the online chat feature with live agents that's available 24/7 via the website dashboard or mobile app.
Cardholders also receive prompt, personable service when calling into the customer support hotlines.
Pro tip: If you're a small business owner, our guide to the best American Express business cards can help you find the best card for your professional expenses.
Why You Should Trust Us: How We Reviewed the Best Amex Cards
We considered Amex cards currently available to new applicants by evaluating several factors:
- Simplicity — Does the card offer an easy-to-use rewards program and redemption options? Are there any restrictions to navigate?
- Earning potential — Are there generous spending categories or a strong rewards rate across all purchases, and is there a welcome bonus offer?
- Annual fee — No-annual-fee cards are appealing, but if the card charges an annual fee, does it offer benefits that justify the cost?
- Options for different types of consumers — We made sure to include cards that are geared to various users, from cards with a 0% APR offer to travel points and cash-back cards.
Read our full methodology page to learn more about how we rate credit cards.
FAQs
Which American Express card is best?
The Platinum Card® from American Express is one of the best cards for frequent flyers because cardholders enjoy numerous perks designed to make travel more enjoyable. But most people who do not want to pay the card's $695 annual fee (rates and fees) may do better with simpler cards like the Amex Blue Cash Preferred Card (rates and fees) or the American Express® Green Card, which both earn strong rewards with much lower annual fees.
Which American Express card offers the best rewards?
The Platinum Card® from American Express offers the best rewards, but also comes with a hefty annual fee of $695 (rates and fees). The Amex Blue Cash Everyday Card earns rewards with no annual fee (rates and fees), while the American Express® Green Card strikes a good balance between bonus rewards on dining and travel with a moderate $150 annual fee.
Are there any American Express cards with no annual fee?
Yes, American Express offers a few cards with no annual fee, including the Amex Blue Cash Everyday Card, which earns generous rewards on common expenses like groceries and comes with statement credits for Disney and Home Chef meal kits. Terms apply.
Where is the security code on an American Express card?
The security code, or CVV number, on American Express cards, is a four-digit number located on the front of your card on the right-hand side. Amex cards still come with a three-digit code on the back (similar to other card issuers), but you'll usually only need that for activating your card.
Is the Amex Gold or Platinum card better?
The Amex Gold Card is better for people who dine out frequently and don't need airport lounge access. Terms apply. The Amex Platinum Card is best for people who don't mind paying a high annual fee in exchange for luxury travel benefits (rates and fees).
For rates and fees of the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express, please click here.
For rates and fees of The Platinum Card® from American Express, please click here.
For rates and fees of the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express, please click here.
For rates and fees of the American Express® Gold Card, please click here.
Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Trip Delay Insurance, Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance, and Cell Phone Protection Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company. Global Assist Hotline Card Members are responsible for the costs charged by third-party service providers. If approved and coordinated by Premium Global Assist Hotline, emergency medical transportation assistance may be provided at no cost. In any other circumstance, Card Members may be responsible for the costs charged by third-party service providers. Extended Warranty, Purchase Protection, and Baggage Insurance Plan Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car Rental Loss & Damage Insurance Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car Rental Loss or Damage Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.
